This site is dedicated to the preservation of memory of silent films. Although they were quite important in the evolution of cinema, they remain virtually forgotten nowadays. Since the best way to understand the present is taking an attentive look at the past, here you have some movies, pictures, interviews, etc. on silent cinema. Some occasional material on sound films will also be presented. I hope you enjoy getting to know a bit more about the beauty and sheer fun of these golden oldies.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Lights and Shades on the Bostock Circus Farm - 1911

Country: United Kingdom
This is not necessarily the most promising of titles, or, indeed, a very accurate one, either. There's certainly a lot of shade, but the only light comes from the flames of the funeral pyre that consume a dead circus elephant shortly after its corpse has been unceremoniously dragged across a field by 50 carthorses.
Augmented by German inter-titles (the BFI's film print was once part of the Swiss Abbé Joye's extraordinary collection), the effect is not unlike a bleakly Expressionist reworking of 'Dumbo'. Unmissable or unwatchable, depending on your own particular sensibility.
The Bostock Circus was American, but toured Europe extensively during this period, including visits to Britain. (Robin Baker)

Profile

Brazilian, greatly fond of classic movies, specially silent ones. It is a pleasure to understand better how life was like in the past with the help of those films. Moreover, they are quite fun to watch, once you sit down and are willing to see things from another perspective. In case you want to exchange ideas, e-mail me at silentbeauties10@gmail.com and you will be answered as soon as possible.